FIFA corruption allegations

[pineapple stu]

Hm. On the one hand, I reckon FIFA may possibly be happy to get a way out of this. On the other hand, it would be quite the precedent to re-run an entire World Cup vote because of corruption, something I'm sure has never tainted FIFA at all in the past. Gonna be interesting to keep an eye on this.

[BonnieShels]

Hm. On the one hand, I reckon FIFA may possibly be happy to get a way out of this. On the other hand, it would be quite the precedent to re-run an entire World Cup vote because of corruption, something I'm sure has never tainted FIFA at all in the past. Gonna be interesting to keep an eye on this.

Well the good thing is that the other World Cups have happened so they ain't re-running those votes. I think they'll draw a line in the sand and run a re-vote. Platini is backing a re-vote now.

Thing is the report now HAS to show that there was corruption because no other result is gonna be acceptable at this stage.

[pineapple stu]

Was talking about future World Cups!

England lose again, but it's ok - the Daily Mail has found evidence that a few quid was handed over by the winning Sierra Leonese contingent. Re-vote! Precedent! Rabble rabble rabble.

Repeat ad nauseum.

[BonnieShels]

Was talking about future World Cups!

England lose again, but it's ok - the Daily Mail has found evidence that a few quid was handed over by the winning Sierra Leonese contingent. Re-vote! Precedent! Rabble rabble rabble.

Repeat ad nauseum.

Sorry, I was getting at the fact that they won't look into the corruption of past votes. Which no doubt there was.

[pineapple stu]

No doubt alright.

I think most people know how the game is played. Tbh it doesn't really bother me that much in general. Obviously stuff like whether 45 degree heat is suitable for a World Cup is a different matter.

[pineapple stu]

Sony, Visa and Adidas backing a full investigation. (http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jun/08/world-cup-sponsor-sony-investigation-qatar-bid)

This is gaining legs.

[NeverFeltBetter]

That's a pretty big deal right? Sponsors speaking out isn't something that usually happens. Though this gives me pause:


Both fans and sponsors would be likely to cheer a switch to a different venue, although Qatar would be certain to mount a legal challenge to keep the competition.

Promises to be a quagmire.

Edit: Or maybe not: http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/worldcup/world-cup-2022-special-report-no-legal-action-for-qatar-if-fifa-strips-country-of-tournament-9507194.html

[Charlie Darwin]

That's a pretty big deal right? Sponsors speaking out isn't something that usually happens. Though this gives me pause:



Promises to be a quagmire.
Sponsors do speak out when they have legitimate moral objections too, but I don't think this is one. I think it's a response to the controversy and the fact they think it could reflect badly on them and their investment.

[Stuttgart88]

Qatar will have no legal recourse to FIFA


http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/worldcup/world-cup-2022-special-report-no-legal-action-for-qatar-if-fifa-strips-country-of-tournament-9507194.html

[BonnieShels]

Qatar 2022: Sepp Blatter says corruption claims are racist

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27762435

The start of the whitewash begins?

[NeverFeltBetter]

Moronic stuff from him, probably just playing to the crowd he was in front of. Blatter will follow the herd if it comes to it, and the African FA's will follow Blatter.

[NeverFeltBetter]

I'm not sure how big a deal this is, but: http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/726282-uefa-urges-blatter-not-to-run-for-fifa-presidency/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

English FA man David Gill has apparently said the same. Strange coordination.

[pineapple stu]

Interesting.

There was an article in When Saturday Comes last month about an American who ran for President of FIFA a few years back. He withdrew in the end after not getting anyone to nominate him. He said he felt he'd have gotten lots of votes (secret ballot), but could get no-one to openly nominate him. Blatter has football absolutely by the short and curlies (which in a way, you really have to admire). But there's a crack or two showing lately.

[NeverFeltBetter]

CAF especially seems to be just in thrall of him. I assume that has a lot to do with development funds (and maybe the threat of more thorough investigations into its FA's).

[Charlie Darwin]

CAF especially seems to be just in thrall of him. I assume that has a lot to do with development funds (and maybe the threat of more thorough investigations into its FA's).
Exactly. FIFA does excellent work spreading guaranteed funds to every last corner of the football world, but as you can guess a lot of it is trapped by bureaucrats and all of those bureaucrats are very grateful to Sepp Blatter for ensuring the money arrives at their federation and no questions are asked about how it's used.

[pineapple stu]

And then you have Cameroon refusing to get on a plane to the World Cup till they get paid of course.

[BonnieShels]

And then you have Cameroon refusing to get on a plane to the World Cup till they get paid of course.

This is my favourite piece of punditry so far:


I fancy Cameroon to get out of their group behind Brazil and, if they do make the last 16, they have got enough about them to give whoever they play out of Group B - either Spain, Netherlands or Chile by the looks of things - a scare.
http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/27679577

[Stuttgart88]

That remark by Blatter in itself should be reason to resign. Essentially he is belittling efforts at eradicating racism in football by attributing genuine concerns about corruption to racism.

Let's be clear here: it was a FIFA themselves who found Mohammed Bin Hamman guilty of bribery and expelled him. Now when the rest of the world says he was more corrupt than originally thought we're all racists?

[Stuttgart88]

Have I just heard Greg Dyke right? Some African nations are saying Blatter is corrupt. That's one thing, but it's the British media leading the claim.

So, the British media holds more clout than whole African countries? Is that not racist? Dyke might as well have inserted "tinpot" before the word African.

Anyway, it seems something is stirring here. A Berlin Wall or Ceaucescu moment?

[Charlie Darwin]

The British media angle is because Blatter and the CAF brought it up, no? The British media is a familiar villain for them, being as it actually questions them rather than just telling them they're amazing.

[Stuttgart88]

Sorry, my point was that Greg Dyke just said on SSN said that some African nations were complaining but the fact that British media are complaining is more important.

Listen to the way Dyke said it. It was almost is if he was saying "look, although some Mickey Mouse African countries think he should go, it's more important that some UK media think he should go". I'm surprised that a successful guy like Dyke is so lacking in conviction in front of a microphone.

[Charlie Darwin]

Sorry, my point was that Greg Dyke just said on SSN said that some African nations were complaining but the fact that British media are complaining is more important.

Listen to the way Dyke said it. It was almost is if he was saying "look, although some Mickey Mouse African countries think he should go, it's more important that some UK media think he should go". I'm surprised that a successful guy like Dyke is so lacking in conviction in front of a microphone.
I didn't see Dyke's interview so I can't comment, but as far as I know all the African countries are behind Blatter. The recent controversy is because the CAF is accusing the British media of racism since the Sunday Times posted documents alleging the African unions were very well-disposed to Qatar's bid and money may have changed hands.

[NeverFeltBetter]

The British media angle is because Blatter and the CAF brought it up, no? The British media is a familiar villain for them, being as it actually questions them rather than just telling them they're amazing.

Reminds me of Blatter's reelection in 2011, when a whole load of nations lined up to criticise the English FA for trying to postpone the vote, including DRC Congo and Benin of the CAF: http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/13610973

[BonnieShels]

Reminds me of Blatter's reelection in 2011, when a whole load of nations lined up to criticise the English FA for trying to postpone the vote, including DRC Congo and Benin of the CAF: http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/13610973


That link brought up some decent stories from 2011. Nothing new to any of who have been following the story since the crackers award.

German Federation [president] asks Fifa for inquiry into Qatar 2022
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/13613314

Bin Hammam denied access to Fifa congress
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/13590264

Fifa: Valcke denies Jack Warner's 2022 'bought' claim
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/13592684

[NeverFeltBetter]

Two things:

First, Franz Beckenbauer refusing to cooperate with investigations into the Qatar voting process, and has gotten a figurative slap on the wrist over that: http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/european/2014/0613/623705-beckenbauer-banned-for-90-days-by-fifa/

I suppose he might just consider the inquiry insulting, but its certainly not helping perceptions of corruption.

Secondly, there's this from Blatter: http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jun/11/sepp-blatter-video-challenge-managers-fifa

Not seeking a debate on video tech, but just noting the timing. I think Blatter's losing control rapidly, and this is an attempt to appeal to certain elements within FIFA to get behind him.

[Closed Account 2]

Not a great few months for the board of Bayern, the Kaiser's got a ban, Rumenigge's had to confess to his free rolex and Hoeness is doing time inside.

[Charlie Darwin]

Two things:

First, Franz Beckenbauer refusing to cooperate with investigations into the Qatar voting process, and has gotten a figurative slap on the wrist over that: http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/european/2014/0613/623705-beckenbauer-banned-for-90-days-by-fifa/

I suppose he might just consider the inquiry insulting, but its certainly not helping perceptions of corruption.

Secondly, there's this from Blatter: http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jun/11/sepp-blatter-video-challenge-managers-fifa

Not seeking a debate on video tech, but just noting the timing. I think Blatter's losing control rapidly, and this is an attempt to appeal to certain elements within FIFA to get behind him.
He's losing control of UEFA, but they never really backed him anyway. He still has 6 of the 7 confederations behind him.

[geysir]

I didn't see Dyke's interview so I can't comment, but as far as I know all the African countries are behind Blatter. The recent controversy is because the CAF is accusing the British media of racism since the Sunday Times posted documents alleging the African unions were very well-disposed to Qatar's bid and money may have changed hands.
Murky days ahead for FIFA when the clean up group, the UEFA based associations, are embedded in the Qatar corrupted bid.
Nine out of the ten UEFA based executive votes came from Platini and his UEFA mates, Blatter voted for Australia.
Now Platini say he will support a revote should Qatar be found to have corrupted their bid with bribes, and Platini says he will still vote for Qatar in the new vote.
Platini endorses corruption shocker!
Where else in Europe would you find such a blatant endorsement of proven corruption? And him and UEFA executive members will still vote to have the WC finals played in the searing heat of a Gulf State, knowing that those Finals cannot be moved to winter.

[pineapple stu]

Can we read anything into Sepp coming out in favour of video replays (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup/10894046/Sepp-Blatters-big-idea-let-managers-put-referees-on-the-spot.html)?

It's a reasonably sudden about-face I think; FIFA have always opposed video technology. I wonder is he feeling under pressure and looking to curry whatever favour is going? Or am I off reading too much into things again?

[NeverFeltBetter]

I mentioned that above - I think he's absolutely making some kind of support-inducing pivot, even if its just aimed at the fanbase (and in that case, its misaimed).

[pineapple stu]

Whoops! Sorry.

I can confirm you're not on my ignore list. :) I just saw the link and figured it fitted in here.

[BonnieShels]

Murky days ahead for FIFA when the clean up group, the UEFA based associations, are embedded in the Qatar corrupted bid.
Nine out of the ten UEFA based executive votes came from Platini and his UEFA mates, Blatter voted for Australia.
Now Platini say he will support a revote should Qatar be found to have corrupted their bid with bribes, and Platini says he will still vote for Qatar in the new vote.
Platini endorses corruption shocker!
Where else in Europe would you find such a blatant endorsement of proven corruption? And him and UEFA executive members will still vote to have the WC finals played in the searing heat of a Gulf State, knowing that those Finals cannot be moved to winter.

Imagine, Blatter is the lesser of two evils...

[NeverFeltBetter]

That report has been delayed for a few weeks for undeclared reasons: http://www1.skysports.com/FIFA-World-Cup-2014/news/12098/9390008/fifa-corruption-findings-delayed-until-september

Also, only it's conclusions will be made public: http://thebiglead.com/2014/07/21/fifa-report-on-world-cup-2018-and-2022-bidding-corruption-wont-be-made-public/

Obviously that last part screams cover up, which is to be expected I suppose. The first link also contains this tidbit:


FIFA President Sepp Blatter, meanwhile, has stressed that only his ruling board, and not judge Eckert, has the power to overturn a vote and order a re-run to host either the 2018 or 2022 tournament.

If corruption in the bidding process is proved, what justification would Blatter have to not do a re-run? Just too late?

[NeverFeltBetter]

FIFA will be discussing dates for Qatar World Cup next week, even as its report on corruption allegations is due to be released: http://gulfbusiness.com/2014/09/fifa-discuss-dates-2022-qatar-world-cup-sept-8/#.VAhT9fldU1Y

[NeverFeltBetter]

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2014/09/05/uk-soccer-fifa-ethics-idUKKBN0H01DB20140905

Report submitted, Ethics committee has to mull it over now.

[Stuttgart88]

FIFA anti-corruption guy accused of money laundering. It must be a mistake.

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/sep/07/fifa-financial-watchdog-arrested-money-laundering-charge

His name sounds like a law firm.

[ArdeeBhoy]

Doesn't Bl*tter want to stand again? The ****

[NeverFeltBetter]

Yes, which is almost impressive considering how old he would be by the end of another term.

There isn't a viable candidate to oppose him, too many of the confederations are still lining up behind the Blatter administration (that is, all of them bar UEFA). The Blatter express is going to keep rolling for a while yet.

[bennocelt]

What about John Delaney, according to the irish papers he brilliant

[ArdeeBhoy]

Even that fool would be an improvement!

[Charlie Darwin]

What about John Delaney, according to the irish papers he brilliant
Denis O'Brien reckons he could do it better than Blatter. What a compliment!

[NeverFeltBetter]

Judge involved hints that he'll recommend sanctions, but nothing to be said until November now: http://www.insideworldfootball.com/fifa/15465-eckert-breaks-silence-saying-he-has-no-fear-of-recommending-sanctions

Just constant delay. Any hopes that the Qatar decision will be reversed have slipped away rapidly.

[NeverFeltBetter]

Findings to be delayed till "Spring", numerous officials calling for report to be made public: http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/29337509

[NeverFeltBetter]

Total whitewash of a report released today. Russia and Qatar completely cleared, and England criticised heavily. Question now seems to be what time of year Qatar World Cup will be held. And how many people will die building the stadiums I guess.

[Charlie Darwin]

England deserve to be criticised heavily. If the majority of journalists there were truly interested in impartial journalism, they'd acknowledge that instead of either ignoring it or indulging in whataboutery. Still, the report is a joke overall, as has been the entire process of giving the World Cups to Russia and Qatar.

[BonnieShels]

FBI launching their own investigation.

Michael Garcia is to appeal the findings of the German judge as well. ****show.

[bennocelt]

Just a question. In Qatar will fans be able to drink alcohol?

[BonnieShels]

Yes most likely. I can't see Budweiser paying for the privilege to sponsor the tournament.

As happens in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, where foreigners and residents of hotels will be able to drink alcohol. It shouldn't be a biggie.

You planning on going?

[bennocelt]

Yes most likely. I can't see Budweiser paying for the privilege to sponsor the tournament.

As happens in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, where foreigners and residents of hotels will be able to drink alcohol. It shouldn't be a biggie.

You planning on going?

Perhaps just to see how many Muslims I could annoy with my alcohol fueled shenanigans! :p

[BonnieShels]

I'd wager ALL of them.